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Meet My Beautiful Family

Posted by Wyteria Jacobo on January 30, 2009 at 12:24am

Find more photos like this on African Entrepreneurs

ShopRite's Breathe Alittle Easier Campaign

Posted by Denise Bethune on January 30, 2009 at 12:04am

Breath a Little Easier this Flu Season with ShopRite’s FREE Antibiotics Program - Free Antibiotics From January 11 Until March 28Wallet-free visits to local ShopRite Pharmacies for antibiotics become a reality starting this Sunday with the launch of ShopRite’s FREE Antibiotics program. Keeping true to its mission of delivering outstanding customer service and value, ShopRite is helping its customers breathe easier this flu season by offering a 14-day supply of commonly prescribed generic oral antibiotics -- FREE of charge. Antibiotics included in ShopRite’s program include: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Bacitracin, Cephalexin, Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Penicillin VK, and SMZ-TMP.The FREE Antibiotics program is available to all customers with or without insurance at ShopRite Pharmacies across Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. To take part in the program, customers must have a valid prescription from their doctor. There is no membership or other commitment required.In addition, ShopRite Pharmacies have expanded their already existing 90-day, generic drug program by adding 60 new items. The $9.99, (90-Day) generic drug program allows customers additional savings for more than 375 commonly prescribed generic drugs used to treat a wide range of medical conditions including: Allergy and Asthma, Anti Viral, Arthritis Pain, Cholesterol, Diabetes, among others.“At ShopRite, our goal is to provide our customers with the best service and every day low prices. When you combine our new FREE Antibiotics program, along with our expanded 90-day/$9.99 generic drug program, we provide our customers with a comprehensive solution for meeting all of their prescription needs,” stated Karen Meleta, spokeswoman for ShopRite.For more information about the Free Antibiotic program, and the 90-Day Generic Drug program, visit our Pharmacy section.Even if you are not living in these areas, please forward this program..!!!

I need someone that can provide the following services ASAP!

Posted by April Mason on January 29, 2009 at 11:56pm

Book interior layoutMake-Up Artist (ATL)Image Consultant (ATL)Hair Stylist (ATL)Contact me here or @ info@aprilmasonlive.com thank you much

Make this the Best V-Day Ever!…Whoever your date is (him or you!)

Posted by Debrah on January 29, 2009 at 9:43pm

Valentine’s Day. Immediately, these words conjure visions of roses, boxes of gourmet chocolates and an intimatenight with your loved one. But if you’ve been with the same person for years, or spending this year alone, chancesare things in the bedroom are more lackluster than explosive. Don’t let Valentine’s melt into another ordinary day.Spice things up with the following tips from Dana B. Myers, co-founder of Booty Parlor.1) Single this year? Be your own best Valentine…It’s Valentine’s Day and you’re alone. Maybe you just broke up. Perhaps it’s been months since you’ve had a lover. Or maybe your guy is just away on a business trip. Whatever the reason, you’re alone on the holiday dedicated to togetherness. Don’t get down, simply decide to treat yourself this year! Get flowers delivered at work (including a note to yourself!), have lunch at your favorite restaurant (thus avoiding the romantic dinner crowd) and treat yourself to that special something you’ve been eyeing - shoes, a bag, a new face cream…That night, blow yourself a big kiss in the mirror and jump into bed with an ultra-steamy read. Let it take you where it may... It might just be the best date you’ve had in a long time! And don’t forget, if you take time to reconnect with yourself, it will only help to make your future relationships even stronger!2) Coupled up? Treat yourself to Seductive Pre-Date Beauty Rituals!Before getting together with your special someone, tune into yourself to get your mind and body ready for romance. Set aside 30 minutes of “pre-date you time” so you can bring the hottest version of yourself to the table. Have a glass of wine (or bubbly), sit back and let your mind drift off into sexy fantasies about what’s in store for the night ahead. Indulge in coating your sexy bod in scented creams and seductive potions, twirl around to a song that gets your mojo moving, and do whatever else makes you feel your sexiest, most-feminine best. Before he arrives, get kiss-ready with Booty Parlor’s Kissaholic Kissing Kit. One spritz of the aphrodisiac-infused breath mist and he’ll be hooked!3) Don’t forget - it’s HIS day too!On V-day date night, let him pamper & treat you, but remember that he wants to feel special too, so find a way to make him feel like a king. Whether it’s a sweet love note passed across the table, an extra speciallove bite showing him how irresistible he is to you while waiting at valet or indulging in that fantasy he’s been going on (and on) about for months…tonight is his night as much as it is yours!About Dana Myers:Dana B. Myers is a Sexy Lifestyle Expert who’s been featured on VH-1, E! Entertainment, The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet and more. Her sex and relationship advice, and the seductive products she creates, are frequently showcased in women’s publications and on nationwide radio shows. Booty Parlor, the beauty parlor for your love life, has become the go-to place for American women to shop for Seductive Beauty essentials and Romantic Treats.

Why Should I Use the Proper Oil In My Vehicle?

Posted by Towanda D. Cooper on January 29, 2009 at 7:43pm

Last week, we discussed the importance of oil changes. I hope everyone put their's on their calendar. As promised, we will talk about the proper oil weight for your vehicle. Each vehicle has its own weight of oil. Today's vehicles use 5w20 or 5w30. There are rare occassions for vehicles to use 5w40. Synthetics and diesels are different type oils. We will discussed those oils in future blogs.When a vehicle uses 5w20 or 5w30, these numbers mean something. The "5" is the thinner part of the oil. It helps the oil to move quickly. The "w" is the winter part of the oil. It helps the oil in cold weather, and cold places. The "30" part of the oil is the second part. There are chemicals to help each variable work together. Also, this oil is call two-part oil. One part oils aren't used in vehicles, today. The two-part oils give your vehicle added protection over the one-part oils. Plus, the correct weighted oil doesn't make your engine work harder. Check your owner's manual for the recommended oil weight.When using heavier oils, the protection is and isn't there. It will help with the metal to metal part of protecting your vehicle. But, the oil won't do well in cold weather. People have asked me about using 20w50, in their vehicle. My answer is no. There is a misconception about older vehicles. Once the vehicle ages, you're suppose to use heavier oil. Why? Is there blue smoke coming out the tail pipe? If the answer is yes, heavier oils only band-aid the problem. Your vehicle is burning oil. A re-built or new engine, or the purchase of a new vehicle will remedy the problem.What about high mileage oil? My answer: Why? Has the characteristics of your vehicle changed? What were you using before these oils came on the market? In my opinion, high mileage oils are a hype tactic. If your vehicle isn't burning oil, the same weighted oil will be fine. Does name brand matter? I get into this conversion all the time. The name brand doesn't matter. Everybody has a preference. I'm not against your taste. My concern is that your vehicle has oil, and the correct weight of oil.Until next time, your the expert on your vehicle. Happy Motoring.

Many Young Women Wary Of A Life Without Periods

Posted by Black doctor. org on January 29, 2009 at 6:08pm

(BlackDoctor.org) -- Jennifer Burch has seen the ads for Seasonale, Barr Pharmaceutical's new packaging of the standard birth control pill that promises users just four periods a year.But, she said, she's not buying it."Let the body do what it does naturally," said Burch, a 32-year-old yoga instructor who said she was in the midst of her monthly period at the time, with its usual bothersome mood swings."If we weren't meant to have periods -- if for some evolutionary reason that made the most sense and was the healthiest -- then we wouldn't have them," Burch said from her home in New York City. "I say, let the energy flow."Susan Greenhalgh, a 40-year-old chemicals broker from Amityville, N.Y., has also put up with the physical and emotional hassles that come with periods. But, she said, she has her suspicions, too."As much as I would love to not be bothered by a monthly period, I can't believe that manipulating hormones and your body's natural cycle to that degree could be healthy," Greenhalgh said.And yet gynecologic experts say putting an end to the period is safe, and that the growing popularity of interventions such as Seasonale -- whose sales jumped 62 percent last year to over $110 million -- shows there are a lot of American women willing to take that step."I believe that most women would really like to get rid of their period," said Dr. Camelia Davtyan, an expert in women's health and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center. She pointed out that any woman who is on the Pill ceased having a real period long ago, anyway."When women are on the Pill and have a period, it's not a natural period -- there was no actual maturation or transformation of the lining of the uterus," Davtyan said. Instead, gynecologists call it "withdrawal bleeding." This bleeding only occurs because the uterine lining experiences a sudden drop in progestin during the placebo week, Davtyan explained.And the Pill's 7-day placebo "break" was arbitrary in the first place, she added."There's an anecdote that's floating around the gynecologic world that when the Pill was first introduced 40-something years ago, it was made by a bunch of guy gynecologists," Davtyan said. "They just thought women would be much happier to have something closer to their natural period, rather than to have no periods at all."Dr. Shari Brasner, an obstetrician/gynecologist affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York City, said she's used the conventional Pill continuously -- without the 7-day break -- for years. She said opting for a life without periods has left her with no regrets."I have an incredibly busy day, and I was never the kind of woman who, quite frankly, had a rigid enough schedule that I could remember to go into the bathroom and deal with issues involving periods," Brasner said. "I did it on the basis of understanding what the pills were and believing that they were safe."Indeed, gynecologists have been prescribing "continuous" birth control pill regimens for decades to help women struggling with problems such as endometriosis. And, Brasner said, new products like Seasonale simply stretch the number of days women take the active pill.In Seasonale's case, women take the hormonal medication for 12 weeks at a time with a one-week placebo break 4 times per year, when the user experiences "withdrawal bleeding.""And that placebo week, quite frankly, was only added to just be more acceptable to the user," Brasner said. "The concept of going from 12 or 13 periods per year down to none was a huge [mental] leap, so they've tried to soften that by still giving women that occasional withdrawal bleeding. It doesn't serve any true medical purpose, though," she added.Seasonale is just the first of many period-suppressing products to hit the market. Drug maker Wyeth is hoping to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval next month for its continuous low-dose contraceptive pill, Lybrel; Berlex Inc. has its own version poised for launch; and Organon USA is hoping to receive an FDA heads-up within the next few weeks for Implanon, a single-rod, three-year contraceptive implanted in the upper arm that's been used by European women for more than a decade.Just last week, the FDA announced its approval of Barr's successor product to Seasonale, a long-term contraceptive called Seasonique. The company said the new hormonal regimen should be available by prescription in July.Other long-term contraceptive devices currently available in the United States include NuvaRing, a three-week vaginal contraceptive ring, the Ortho-Evra patch, and Pfizer's injectable three-month contraceptive Depo-Provera.While long-term use of Depo-Provera can cause thinning bones, Davtyan said other hormone-based contraceptives do not pose bone risks. "Remember, estrogen is actually good for bones," she said."As for low-dose pills, the main side effect is blood clots," she said. "But whether a woman decides to take the Pill for 21 days or continuously for 28, most likely she will have a similar blood-clot risk." The absolute risk for any healthy, nonsmoking woman for a Pill-linked blood clot remains extremely low, experts say.According to Brasner, the take-home message for women is that these new hormonal contraceptive regimens contain "nothing new. We have had traditional birth-control for 40-some-odd years, and, overall, I think their safety has been proved."But, if that's true, why are women like Burch and Greenhalgh resistant to the idea of a life without periods?"I guess there is something about femininity and periods that kind of goes together psychologically," Davtyan said.Brasner agreed. "That's definitely been the biggest barrier to getting women to accept this," she said. "Even once I tell them that I firmly believe in its safety, and that I have used this myself, many of my patients will say, 'Yes, I hear you, I believe you -- but it's not really what I want.' "And both experts said that's totally fine with them."The bottom line is that [period suppression] is a safe thing to do, but it should be optional," Davtyan said. "Women should simply be given the option of having a monthly period, or a period once every three months, or not at all. Then they can decide."Get more information on various forms of birth control at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.By John Williams, BDO Staff Writer

Change Cannot Occur Without Your Cooperation

Posted by Narda Goodson on January 29, 2009 at 5:58pm

Change, while good, is not always an easy transition. Many of us want change but have a hard time making the necessary adjustments to make it possible.Think about the caterpillar before its transition into a butterfly. It goes through a rigorous transformation called metamorphosis. During its larval stage it crawls on the ground to nourish on plant life until its pupa stage. When the larva is fully-grown, it stops feeding and begins drifting in quest for a suitable pupation site. Once it has reached its final destination, which is usually the underside of a leaf, it will begin a phase that appears to be the worst time of its life.There is no doubt that we will at times will suffer under heavy setbacks. In the process, if your world has been turned upside down, and you feel like your life is hanging by a thread, remember that, God’s Word is powerful enough to keep you from falling. Let the Word of God be the only harness that holds you during your pupae stage, for God is always working out what you are growing through for your benefit.Just like the pupa, your upside down stage of life is only for a season. But you must not interfere with the process, for if you do, you risk the possibility of delaying or aborting the expected end, to spread your wings and fly.Change cannot occur without your cooperation. When your life is being broken down, it is an external forewarning that the old order is collapsing, breaking up, and waiting to be transformed into something new.Allow your pupa stage to transform you into something you have never been.Tilt your heart towards the SON!Pastor Narda GoodsonFirst Lady of Whitewright, TexasOfficial Website: http://anointedarrowsproductions.org\Social Network: http://christianwomenpredestinedbygod.ning.com/Copyright 2008 Gospel "PiLLs". All Rights Reserved

Staying Focus on Your Creative Business

Posted by Alease on January 29, 2009 at 2:15pm

Now that you have set some goals for your creative business. It is now time to switch gears. When you start a business it is important to develop a personal style for your business. This would include a mission statement and a company brand identity.Mission StatementA mission statement is a brief description of a company's fundamental purpose, it articulates the company's purpose both for those in the organization and for the public. In my post about Why to Create a Personal Mission Statement I wrote about how to create a mission statement. Read more on how to create your own personal mission statement.

America's Most Famous Rags-to-Riches Story

Posted by Kemi Fadojutimi on January 29, 2009 at 1:48pm

Chapter TwoAmerica's Most Famous Rags-to-Riches StoryOne hundred and fifty years ago, when a 13-year-old boy stepped ashore in New York with his parents and younger brother, he had no idea that he would one day become the richest man in the world.This is the story of Andrew Carnegie.He was born in 1835 in Scotland. During the Depression of 1848 in Britain, his father, a weaver, decided it was best to immigrate to America and brought his family to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh.Being poor, young Andrew had to give up any hope of schooling when he arrived, and he quickly got a job in a cotton factory for $1.20 a week.He studied bookkeeping at night and soon took a job in the office as a clerk. He prepared himself for advancement by doing each job to the best of his ability and seizing every opportunity to take on new responsibilities.Through trial and error, he developed a personal philosophy that led to a simple formula for success that he followed faithfully.Quite by accident, he had stumbled onto the same formula for success that had been used by all great achievers throughout history.Guided by this formula, he accelerated rapidly at everything he did.At 15, he took a job as a messenger boy in the telegraph office in Pittsburgh, and two years later, he was working full-time as a telegraph operator for the railroad.When he was 20, his father passed away, leaving him with the responsibility of providing for his mother and 12-year-old brother.He worked even harder. The division superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad was so impressed with Carnegie that he hired him as his personal clerk and telegraph operator. When Carnegie was 24, he became the superintendent of the Pittsburgh division.To supplement his salary, he borrowed $500 to buy stocks in businesses that he understood. First the railroad and later in steel production. He became quite successful at it.At 33, he had an annual income of $50,000 ($1,040,000 in today's dollars) and was toying with the idea of retiring to a scholarly life. But since he was now one of the largest shareholders of the Pullman Company, and a director of the Union Pacific Railroad, he couldn't.He saw a growing demand for steel and much room for improvement in the way steel was produced. So he started his own steel company, the Carnegie Steel Co. Using innovative methods, he improved the quality of the steel, made production more efficient, reduced costs, and watched his business expand quickly.Because of his efforts, the United States took the lead away from Great Britain as the foremost steel producer in the world in 1890.He was now the richest man in America, and in a few years, he would be the richest in the world.Then, in 1901, at the age of 66, Carnegie shocked everyone when he announced that he was going to sell his holdings and devote the rest of his life to giving away every penny he had for benevolent purposes.He sold Carnegie Steel to J. P. Morgan, who used it as the nucleus for U. S. Steel.Then, with the same enthusiasm and determination that built his fortune, he spent the next 18 years systematically giving it all away.Had he lost his mind? Not at all.In 1911 he wrote: "My chief happiness lies in the thought that even after I pass away, the wealth that came to me to administer as a sacred trust for the good of my fellow men, is to continue to benefit humanity for generations untold."It may sound cliche, but Carnegie sincerely wanted to leave the world a better place. One of his first acts was to create a pension fund for his employees. This quote from his workers expresses the common sentiment toward him:"The interest which you have always shown in your workmen has won for you an appreciation which cannot be expressed by mere words."Inspired by the heroic but futile rescue effort in which a former Pittsburgh mine superintendent and others lost their lives in the Harwick Mine Disaster in 1904, he set up the Hero Fund to honor and financially reward acts of non-military heroism.He gave a lot of money to causes: to establish the first great medical research laboratory in the U.S.A. at Bellevue Hospital in New York, to the Institute for the Blind, and to Madame Curie for her radium research. He also funded Carnegie Hall.But his two main interests were education and world peace.Believing that people in the teaching profession were underpaid, he established The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a pension plan that looked after aging teachers.Though he was denied an education, he knew the value of learning and was determined that everyone should have access to knowledge. His pet project became his free public libraries.He made the following offer to communities: He would build a library for free if they agreed to stock it with books and maintain it.Over the years that followed, he built 2,811 free public libraries. It was estimated that at their completion, 35 million people made use of his public libraries each day.Most of his money went to build new educational institutions or fund existing ones. He created the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Institute of Washington, and Carnegie-Mellon University, and he assisted more than 500 others, especially the smaller, lesser-known universities and colleges.World peace was his other passion. He created the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, with headquarters in New York City and Geneva, Switzerland, and the Peace Palace at the Hague in Holland.Being a full-time philanthropist wasn't as easy as Carnegie thought it would be. Each day, he was flooded with 400 to 500 "begging" letters. After each announcement of some large benefaction, the number would increase to 700 a day.For instance, when it was reported that Carnegie donated a new organ to the church his father had attended, requests for new organs poured in from all across the country.When it was over, Carnegie answered each of their requests and donated 7,689 organs.Contrary to common belief, he did not require or encourage institutions to bear his name."I find it difficult to avoid having gifts for new things called after the donors. Carnegie Hall was called by me The Music Hall. Foreign artists refused to appear in 'a music hall.' The Board changed it in my absence in Europe without consulting me."He said he didn't want to be remembered for what he gave, but for what he persuaded others to give. By building libraries, he inspired communities to fill them with books, asking only that they inscribe the words "Let there be light" above the entrance.It's true that he was very public with his library project, pursuit of world peace, and the advancement of education for all people. But there was another side to him that few knew. One of his most enjoyable acts of philanthropy was the millions he gave away anonymously.During his lifetime, he gave away 90 percent of his fortune. To this day, The Carnegie Corporation, the philanthropic foundation he created, still gives away millions of dollars every year.But there's something else that he gave away that was even more valuable. I'm sure you've heard of the saying ..."Give a man a fish, and he can eat for a day.Show him how to fish, and he can eat for a lifetime."When Carnegie's formula for success became public, ... thousands learned how to fish ...

TODAY'S BATTLES, TOMORROW'S STRENGTH..

Posted by WHO'S THAT GIRL BLESSED BY GOD? on January 29, 2009 at 1:12pm

Today's Battles, Tomorrow's StrengthOne of my favorite Southern Baptist preachers, Johnny Hunt, once said that theonly time he ever gets headaches is when he finds himself trying to fighttoday's battles with tomorrow's strength.I think Pastor Johnny was quoting another pastor when he said it. Come to thinkof it, the idea originated with Jesus:"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:34God supplies all the strength we need to do all that He's called us to do. ButHe rations this strength much in the same way He rationed manna to the childrenof Israel.He provides sufficient strength each day for the challenges of that day...andthat day only. This strength doesn't carry over from one day to the next. Youeither use it, or lose it.And He will not give you enough strength today for the confrontations,obligations, and challenges of next week, next month, or next year. Thatstrength will be deposited in your account precisely when you need it, and not amoment before.If you're stressed and overwhelmed today, check your strength supply. I'll betyou have enough to get you through this day.And that's all you need for now.

WALKING BY FAITH...

Posted by WHO'S THAT GIRL BLESSED BY GOD? on January 29, 2009 at 1:08pm

Walking By FaithWalking by faith is one of the shortest and yet most powerful sentences abeliever can say. As a single woman over the age of 40 and small business owner,this is my life's testimony. The world wants you to believe that there issomething wrong with a life like mine because I'm still single and childless.They want you to believe that if you aren't keeping up with the Joneses and thatyou aren't living a fulfilled life. Pretty hilarious, huh? I know that I'm God'sbest and as I walk by faith, He is completing me as I joyfully tell my teasersthat my life is more complete than theirs.As you walk out your dreams, here are some great tips to ensure that walking byfaith is an enjoyable experience:1. Pray that God will reveal to you his desires for your life. It's a maturewalk when you can honestly confess to God that you want his desires to be yourdesires and to break you until you're walking in harmony.2. Become disciplined in your time with God. Be honest with yourself and admityou aren't studying enough and you aren't sure how to study. Consider a biblereading program that will direct you to read the Bible in a Year.You have it in you to do this. 2 Timothy 2:15 teaches us to "be diligent topresent yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of truth".3. Surround yourself with others that are walking by faith in this season. As aGirl Scout, I was taught to make new friends but keep the old; it's the sameconcept. It's time to grow in all areas of your life this year. Don't be afraidto cut sub-tractors, distractors, and whiners out of your life.4. Celebrate others when their harvests arrive. It's a great sign that you arenext!5. Sow where you want to grow. Find a mentor and devote (sow) time to work withthem. Work with a servant's heart. Be committed, dedicated and trustworthy.As you walk by faith, you will strengthen your belief and grow in confidence inknowing that you can be all that God said you could be no matter where you beganyour journey. You will now understand that challenges are merely newopportunities for you to reach your greatness.Finally, your life will truly be blessed. Everything that you touch will provideyou with a blessed life and no good thing will He withhold from those who walkuprightly.

President Obama Posted January 21, 2009

Posted by Y. Cauthen on January 29, 2009 at 4:21am

Hello, everyone! In light of the inauguration yesterday’s historic event, we at Yazzie & Co. & want to take the time to reflect on the moment that represented the dawn of a new day in America. Hope has finally come to fruition after years of struggle and heartache. Yes, we were all treated to the pomp and circumstance, but we were also blessed with the proof that change has, as the great Sam Cooke once vowed, truly come.

Not too long ago, American pride seemed to be a kneejerk sentiment that was recited out of habit, rather than out of sincerity. However, November 4, 2008 proved to the world that the words of our Founding Fathers are, in fact, rightful and real. As we stand in anticipation of what direction President Obama will steer this country towards, we can take heed in the fact that our demand for change has been broadcast before our eyes.

While there are definitely some rough roads to travel ahead, yesterday’s turning of a new leaf has provided us with the promise of a new American revolution. An opportunity to improve the way that we think and do, we must use this monumental triumph as a challenge to any misconceptions and mistakes that have symbolized America in the past. In addition to being able to recount this wonderful day to our future children and grandchildren, we can also tell them how we united to help our new president bring about the change that he envisioned for this country.

To New Beginnings,

The Yazzie Blogger

Whip Up That Winning Wedding Food For Your Big Day!

Posted by Y. Cauthen on January 29, 2009 at 4:00am

Hi, everyone! We had such a great time with writing about setting up a great bridal menu that we’ve decided to take it a step further. This time around, we at Yazzie & Co. want to let you in on how to make sure that your wedding cuisine is a success. After all, the food that you serve on your big day should be unforgettable for the right reasons. Thus, what better than to whip up food that will capture your guests’ taste buds as well as your special moment will capture their hearts?

While we do know that the recession is weighing heavily on your minds, we nonetheless believe that a wonderful wedding deserves a perfect palette of food. Thus, we think that you should take the less-is-more route to bridal dining success. In other words, instead of serving a large amount of terrible food that none of your guests will touch, you should serve smaller portions of delectable food. That way, your bridal company will have their pick of delicious cuisine while having the opportunity to try food that they’ve never had before.

Then again, if that direction isn’t one that you would want to take, we suggest that you put together a wonderful wedding brunch with delicious fare such as glazed fruit pastries, fluffy croissants, and sparkling champagne. Not only will you be saving a great deal of money, you’ll also have the opportunity to share your big day in an intimate way while forming a special connection with your brand new family. You can even invite your loved ones to participate in the festivities by having them include some of their special dishes.

If you are too busy to pick and choose your favorite dishes, you can always host your wedding at your favorite restaurant. Sure, it might cost you a little more money to reserve it, but it’s definitely worth a shot. Besides, whatever you’re spending to hold it for the night will be made up for with the amount that you’ll save on renting utensils, tables, glassware, any additional venue costs. Most importantly, you already know that the food is amazing, so that’s one less thing to worry about!

In turn, Yazzie & Co. would love to hear your bridal food success stories. Whether your bridal cuisine success was cooked up in your family kitchen or served to you by the finest chef in your city, we want you to share your tales. We just might include them in our future blog.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

www.yazzieco.com

What Fragrance Do You Possess?

Posted by Narda Goodson on January 29, 2009 at 2:42am

Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting several homes for the Annual Rose Tour in Whitewright. I was awestruck by the diversity of each garden as we went from house to house.I saw backyards filled with roses, irises, birdhouses, ponds, and many other gorgeous bouquets of plant life. The flowers generated an amazing ambiance that perfumed the air with pleasant aromas. I saw and smelled honey suckles for the first time and had the pleasure of tasting one too.What struck me the most was the diversity of fragrances the floras produced. In one garden, there was an assemblage of multicolored roses displayed in a row, so I decided to smell each group individually. Every colored rose possessed an enjoyable but distinct aroma. I couldn’t believe how they could all be so alike, yet so different, but each was lovely in its own right.Upon leaving, not far away, sat a cluster of red roses identical to the ones I had recently smelled. I couldn’t help myself, so I decided to take one last whiff. Ironically, they produced no scent. “But aren’t these roses the same as the others?” I thought to myself.You life is your garden and what you produce will be obvious to others. The Scripture says in I Peter 2:9 that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of him who has called us from outer darkness and into His marvelous light.It is not enough to sit with others we think are like us and expect that this method alone will change us. Going to church doesn’t save you and make you a Christian anymore than sitting among rose bushes will make you a rose. Christianity is not a religion but a lifestyle; it is a daily walk with the Savior, which requires every individual to take personal liability for their own life by picking up their cross to follow Jesus.We have been set apart for God, and in that separation, there is something we must do. We must continually fill our hearts with His Word so that we can produce good fruit. When we faithfully commit to abiding in the Vine, we become the branches that bring forth the fruit of God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ (St. John 15:5).What fragrances do you possess and generate? Will you permit the power of God’s Word to cultivate in you the fruit of the Spirit or will you just sit among the roses?Tilt your heart towards the SON!Pastor Narda GoodsonFirst Lady of Whitewright, TexasOfficial Website: http://anointedarrowsproductions.org\Social Network: http://christianwomenpredestinedbygod.ning.com/Copyright 2008 Gospel "PiLLs". All Rights Reserved

What your company manual must contain to keep you prepared for the unexpected in your business

Posted by Omitunde on January 29, 2009 at 1:00am

To ensure your business is prepared for the expected and unexpected your company manual should include the following sections:

Vision and Mission Statement to remind you what you are working towards
Business Procedures to ensure that the business is ran the way you want it to be ran and that client receive the same service no matter who’s operating the business
List of product/services and their prices so that income can be generated no matter where you are or who’s in charge
Access Information for all the tools and resources you use everyday
Emergency Instructions so that if the unexpected happens your next of kin will know who to contact and what do stop or maintain operations
Backup procedure so that important files will be accessed
Contact Information of all your clients, contractors, employees, vendors

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Do You Rent your home or Sell it!

Posted by Yvonne Long on January 29, 2009 at 12:06am

Here is some information I found that will help you make and educated decision! Be Blessed!Should You Rent out Your Home or Sell It?Four months ago, Darleen Burbridge, a 41-year-old hotel office manager from Staten Island, N.Y., was laid off. Now, after fruitlessly pounding the pavement for the past few months, she's decided to relocate to Florida. She figures that Florida offers better job opportunities in the hotel industry, a more affordable standard of living and -- let's face it -- better weather.But one question remains: Should she sell her two-family suburban home or rent it out?"I don't know what's better financially," she says. "Should I sell and take the profit and run? What if I go to Florida, hate it and come back? I won't have a house. I've heard horror stories about people who sell their home when they move, then come back and can't even afford an apartment." In her case, the stakes are high: The home she bought for $235,000 is now worth an more than $400,000. Selling now will lock in her sizeable gains, but could price her out of the market if she returns in a year or two.Burbridge's situation isn't unique. As many as 5,373 Americans move every day, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And these days, given the weak labor market, many are moving to find jobs. According to a survey by the career Web site Monster.com, almost half of U.S. job seekers were willing to relocate for employment.Of course, in most cases, moving means selling one's home; after all, it's usually a necessary step in affording a new home. But for various reasons some people choose to rent out their homes instead. In some instances, people know that they'll be leaving only for a year or two, perhaps while they pursue a graduate degree or take on a specific project at work. Sometimes the would-be seller simply can't sell at a price deemed acceptable, so he or she chooses to hang on until the market picks up. Others just want to keep their old home until they're confident they won't be coming back.Whatever the reason, it's important to have a healthy grasp of the financial issues at play when weighing this decision. Here's what you need to consider.The Tax Issues When You SellAs you probably know, Uncle Sam provides a generous tax break for those who've lived in their home for at least two of the past five years. Married couples who file jointly can earn up to $500,000 in capital gains tax-free, while singles can enjoy $250,000 in tax-free gains.Good news: Those who are planning on renting out their home for just a year or two will still be eligible for these breaks (provided they've lived in their home for at least two of the past five years). Should they sell more than three years later, however, they forego the tax exemption, meaning their gain would be taxed as a capital gain. "Once you start renting, the clock starts ticking on these two out of five years," says Robert Weinberg, a certified public accountant (CPA) in Orange County, Calif.Consequently, for those whose renting plans would turn a tax-free gain into a taxable one, the general advice is to sell. "The rule of thumb is, if you have a large gain on your personal residence, you don't want to rent it out," says Benjamin Tobias, a CPA and president of Tobias Financial Advisors in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "You never want to take a house that you're not going to have to pay tax on and convert it into rental property and pay tax on the gain. That's insane." One solution to this problem: If you're willing to move back into the house and live there for two years before you sell, you'll re-qualify for the exemption.The Tax Issues When You Rent OutBecoming a landlord also offers some handsome tax perks. While rental income is taxed as ordinary income, your tax bill could easily be eliminated thanks to the numerous deductions on expenses and depreciation. There is, however, one major exception: If you eventually sell the house and qualify for the capital-gains tax exemption discussed earlier, you'll be taxed on the amount you depreciate, which could make renting out your home considerably less attractive.Let's talk expenses first. You can deduct pretty much any out-of-pocket expenses related to owning and managing the property, Weinberg says. This includes your mortgage interest payments and property taxes (same as if this were your primary residence). It also includes other expenses, including advertising or broker fees, the costs of repairs to the property, maintenance expenses such as cleaning services, utilities and management company fees, the cost of fire and liability insurance, and even travel and local transportation expenses incurred for the maintenance of the property and collection of rent.Then there's the "phantom deduction" called depreciation. Just divide the fair market value of the property at the time you start renting it out (excluding the cost of land) by its recovery period -- which is 27.5 years for residential rental property. There's your annual depreciation. For example, if the home is worth $550,000, you divide that by 27.5 and get a $20,000 annual deduction. "The depreciation deduction will cover a lot of the rental income you're receiving, so it's a nice tax shelter," says Jeff Callahan, a CPA with Bederson & Co. in West Orange, N.J. "If you have another $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, which are also deductible, you can get $30,000 in rent tax-free," he says.Improvements can't be deducted, but you recover their cost by depreciation. The good news is, you typically depreciate the cost of any appliances, carpeting, furniture or plumbing over only five years, says CPA Weinberg. So if you bought a new $1,000 dishwasher for your rental, you can deduct $200 a year from your rental income for five years.article By: Aleksandra Todorova, www.smartmoney.com

For the Love of Chocolate

Posted by Kimberlee Stevenson on January 28, 2009 at 7:45pm

Looking for a sweet way to show how much you care? Send your loved ones our NEW “For the Love of Chocolate” collection – available for a limited time for only $39.99 (over $12 savings)!To place your order today, simply reply to this. And let me know if you’d like to reorder any of your favorite Tastefully Simple products, too!I can’t wait to hear from you!Kimberlee StevensonYour Independent Tastefully Simple Consultant - 63034413-244-6713tastefullykims@gmail.comP.S. We also have other exciting specials right now, including fabulous rewards for February hosts and a special gift with purchase for our Returning Favorites collection. Ask me for details!

Womb Shamans - Menstrual Moon Lodge

Posted by Tonya K. Freeman on January 28, 2009 at 7:32pm

All over the world, there are people who pray for peace. Some bury crystals, other activate grids, and still other meditate - all with the intention of creating peace on earth.In the Summer of 2001, it came to me in my contemplation and meditation - the loud, emphatic thought of, "Blood for blood!."I questioned what this meant, and heard the voice within say,"The blood that is shed in war is violent blood but the blood that flows forth from the womb of a woman is blood shed in peace."It was then, that I understood what could happen if women the world over were to faithfully practice pouring their blood upon the earth with purpose and intention.The critical mass of the population of women in the world is approximately 5000.Now, is the time to add to the peace cauldron, another element...the blood of the womb.Holding a Powerful Vision!Diva Mama Tonyahttp://wombshamans.ning.comhttp://tonyakfreeman.comhttp://wombshaman.com

PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL FOUNDER/DIRECTOR SPEAKS TODAY ON THE NEXT "LYFESTYLES" RADIO...SPECIAL TIME:6PM PST 8PM EST!!!

Posted by kimirhochelle on January 28, 2009 at 4:28pm

www.blogtalkradio.com/urbanlyfestyles

It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. We believe film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.Each year, PAFF presents:Over One Hundred (100) quality films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada, all showcasing the diversity and complexity of people of African descent.One of America’s largest fine art shows featuring prominent and emerging black artists and fine crafts people, including local, national and international poets, musicians and storytellers.www.paff.org
URBAN LYFESTYLES MAGAZINE SEEKS WRITERS, VIDEOGRAPHERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST BE ABLE TO TURN WORK IN DAILY!THIS IS A VOLUNTEER PROJECT WITH GREAT EXPOSURE TO ACTORS, PRODUCERS, ECT.PLEASE EMAIL KIMIRHOCHELLE@YAHOO.COM

Let's Make Money

Posted by Soraya Scaife on January 28, 2009 at 2:30pm

Smart business people know how to curb the financial drain of this economy.Copy and paste:http://www.blackbusinessbuilders.com/members.html?3851

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